FAMILY friendly Diwali day celebrations are set to return to Leicester’s Cossington Recreation Ground on Sunday 8 November.
Leicester City Council has announced plans for community dance, music and cultural celebrations to once again take place on stage in the park, which will also host food vendors, arts and crafts stalls and a children’s funfair.
Last year’s Diwali celebrations were scaled back due to safety concerns raised by the local Safety Advisory Group (SAG). The council has since been working closely with partners to find ways for some activity to safely return.
Graham Callister, head of festivals, events and cultural policy at the council said: “I’m pleased to say the SAG has given its in principle approval to the proposals we’ve put forward, subject to the submission of a formal event management plan that we are currently developing.”
The return of cultural activities to the park will also reduce congestion on the nearby Belgrave and Melton Roads, which were the focus of last year’s Diwali celebrations.
The popular Wheel of Light will also be back on Belgrave Road, and rangoli artworks will be on display in Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre.
In the interest of public safety, there will be no public fireworks display, which was cited as the primary safety concern of the SAG in terms of crowd congestion.
Leicester’s Diwali lights will be switched on without ceremony two weeks before Diwali Day.
Councillor Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for culture, said: “Diwali will always be a huge part of Leicester’s cultural calendar, and I am delighted that we’ve been able to safely develop this year’s event.
“Reintroducing activity onto Cossington Park will allow us to bring back some of the most popular elements of the celebrations, and safely welcome the many people who want to join in Leicester’s celebrations."
Full details of Leicester’s Diwali 2026 celebrations will be publicised later in the year.